English learning made easy

With BBC World Trust launching its most ambitious project called ‘English in Action’, Bangladeshis will soon be able to learn a truly global language on television and mobiles. This will help all sections of society acquire English language skills and increase their prospects in job market. BBC World Trust is launching its biggest and perhaps most ambitious project to date. ‘English in Action’ aims to make English-language learning accessible to millions of people in Bangladesh. Drama and discussion programmes on television will capture attention, and the mobile phone will be turned into a powerful learning device. “People recognise that English is one of the skills that can help them in the workplace,” says Caroline Howie, Regional Director, Asia, BBC World Service Trust. The aim of this multi-platform, multi-genre, multi-country initiative is to provide Bangladeshis with the English language skills necessary to participate fully in economic and social activity. This will improve their employment prospects, enhance livelihoods and offer better access to the world economy. Providing opportunities for all sections of society, Bangladeshi youth especially are expected to benefit. Desire to learn "Surveys we've carried out suggest people recognise that English is one of the skills that can help them in the workplace. The BBC has a long tradition of making English language learning more accessible, and we're delighted to be launching this project that will put English within reach of our millions of viewers and listeners in Bangladesh," said Caroline Howie. Mobile usage In 2001, just 200,000 people in Bangladesh used mobile phones. Today there are 37.5 million mobile phone users. Grameenphone, the country's biggest mobile phone operator, estimates that the number of mobile phone users will reach 50 million by 2009. Working in partnership The BBC World Service have teamed up with BBC Learning English, a department of the BBC World Service. Other parts of the project, including work in schools, will be delivered by the Open University and the Open Learning System Education Trust based in South Africa. English in Action is supported by DFID. Source: BBC World Service Trust

User comments

"Plans for spreading it across" Author: Sugato Basu Ray Time: 28.04.2008 11:36 Comment: It was extremely interesting reading about the BBC effort. Can we consider taking this up for Rural India starting with Bangladesh's neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal ? Although BBC has certain courses running here I don't think its the same. As an active member of a Rural Development project, we would be keen to have information on this regarding procedure, permissions etc., in case the matter interests you. SBR

 Printable version